Court issues warrant for Maurice Blair's arrest

Gold Coast NRL recruit Maurice Blair will hand himself in to police on Tuesday afternoon after a warrant was issued for his arrest, his lawyer says.

Blair, 29, was due to face court in Maryborough on Tuesday, having been arrested on New Year's Eve and charged with drinking liquor in a public place and obstructing police.

Magistrate John Smith refused to excuse Blair's non-appearance and issued a warrant for his arrest as his lawyers asked for the case to be transferred to the Gold Coast.

Blair's Gold Coast lawyer Campbell MacCullum confirmed that the former Penrith and Melbourne player would hand himself into police on Tuesday afternoon. He was hopeful that the case would be moved to the Gold Coast.

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Blair's legal representative in Maryborough, Travis George, said his client intended to plead guilty to the charges.